AUOF - 127

Upon returning to the residence, Ji Hengyu immediately headed to the kitchen.

Only a few people regularly came and went in the residence: him, Sang Sang, Lingxiu, the steward, and the cook. Ji Hengyu suspected everyone and meticulously inspected all the ingredients and utensils in the kitchen but found no trace of poison. His brows furrowed even more.

Ji Hengyu opened his palm, and a stream of light swept through, cleansing the surroundings.

Wherever the light touched, scenes of the past replayed. He saw that the first person to enter the kitchen was Lingxiu, Sang Sang’s personal maid.

Lingxiu was handpicked by Sang Sang herself. Though young, she was quick-witted and sharp-tongued, leaving room for suspicion that she might harbor ill intentions.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, he saw Sang Sang enter, dismissing the maid before personally kneading dough and making flatbread.

Ji Hengyu: “….”

No wonder today’s flatbread tasted so terrible.

Ji Hengyu patiently continued watching.

Sang Sang was impatient and didn’t understand the concept of slow steaming over low heat. She hastily baked the flatbread over high heat, then packed the scorched pieces into a food box and left. From start to finish, no one else had touched the box.

Ji Hengyu was always vigilant—if someone had tampered with it along the way, he would have noticed.

Could it be… that he himself had poisoned it?

Ji Hengyu carefully considered this. Once they entered the forest, only he and Sang Sang were there. That meant…

Sang Sang?

Recalling Sang Sang’s series of strange actions, everything suddenly made sense at this moment.

His temples throbbed, and he refused to dwell on deeper possibilities. He firmly believed Sang Sang wouldn’t harm him. Even if there came a day when she did, it would surely be because he had wronged her. By then, he wouldn’t need her to act—he would resolve things himself.

But what had he done?

Was it because of his jealousy earlier? Or perhaps the conflict with Sang Ning days ago had left her harboring resentment?

That still didn’t add up. If Sang Sang truly wanted to poison him, how could he have eaten the toxic flatbread?

At this thought, Ji Hengyu suddenly realized.

Yes, the flatbread contained poisonous mushrooms. What if Sang Sang had also eaten part of it?

If she had really eaten it, how could she remain unharmed?

Ji Hengyu’s hands, resting by his sides, clenched tighter. On one hand, confusion swirled in his mind, leaving him restless. On the other hand, his suspicions about his wife made him uneasy.

Nevertheless, he would choose to trust Sang Sang no matter what.

She was his only beloved wife, the sun that warmed him after he had lost everything.

—She was his everything.

“Husband, what are you doing here?”

In his daze, Sang Sang’s voice approached.

Ji Hengyu froze, turning to see her standing outside the threshold. Light danced playfully in her hair, adorned with pearls and jade. Her delicate brows and exquisite beauty were naturally captivating.

Before he could fully process it, Sang Sang was already near.

Ji Hengyu lowered his gaze, concealing his emotions. “I was thinking of making you something to eat.”

Sang Sang didn’t suspect a thing and was about to say something when Ji Hengyu’s embrace enveloped her.

He held her tightly. Through the thin fabric, Sang Sang could feel his dry, warm palms sliding down her back, slowly tracing the curve of her waist…

Sang Sang gasped, her eyes widening in shock. In a panic, she grabbed his arm: “Husband—!” Her voice nearly cracked.

Ji Hengyu paused, about to continue probing with spiritual energy, when he heard her plaintive tone: “…Didn’t we agree to not have children for now?”

Ji Hengyu was instantly stunned.

Her cheeks flushed faintly as she murmured: “And besides, what if someone sees us in broad daylight…”

Sang Sang thought Ji Hengyu had become too bold.

Previously, even holding hands or kissing lightly made him shy away, yet now he wanted to indulge in such acts during the day, in the kitchen of all places!

Ji Hengyu fell into an eerie silence for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he abandoned his intention to probe further and withdrew his hand. “I wasn’t.” However, the weakness in those three words wasn’t convincing enough.

“Then why?”

“I just wanted to hold you.”

Hold her? Could he not do so honestly?

Sang Sang didn’t believe him.

The couple harbored their own hidden thoughts, each carefully concealing their suspicions.

But once the seed of doubt was planted, every detail seemed suspicious upon closer inspection.

For instance, the similar jade pendants; or how her husband appeared frail but carried her without breaking a sweat. And then there were those Tiange disciples who had been secretly observing them outside the pharmacy.

Sang Sang decided to test him again.

This time, she planned to pretend to be in danger, attacked by demons. If Ji Hengyu truly cared for her, he would surely reveal something!

Within two days, she found an opportunity.

To celebrate the emperor’s birthday, the entire nation rejoiced. As the main city, Qingyang City would host a temple fair for three consecutive days. Amidst the bustling festivities, she intended to blend into the crowd and leave clues to lure Ji Hengyu to Chuiyun Ridge. Whether he was mortal or immortal, one test would reveal the truth!

Sang Sang tucked her secret plans deep in her heart, and soon it was the night of the temple fair.

On such celebratory occasions, men and women alike dressed up carefully, and Sang Sang was no exception. She deliberately chose a bright pomegranate-red dress and instructed Lingxiu to style her hair in an elaborate coiffure, adorned with jade leaves and golden hairpins. Her starry eyes, white teeth, and lotus-like face were even more dazzling than usual.

Ji Hengyu had been waiting outside for some time. After finishing her preparations, Lingxiu escorted Sang Sang out.

He stood with his back to them, his simple green robe elegant and understated. Hearing movement, Ji Hengyu turned the moment Sang Sang emerged.

This man rarely displayed emotional fluctuations.

Joy, anger, sorrow, fear—all were concealed beneath a calm exterior. Yet when he saw Sang Sang, a subtle glimmer lit up his otherwise placid eyes, invigorating his entire demeanor.

“The ladies in the city have recently been styling their hair like this, so I gave the mistress a similar look. What does Master think?” Lingxiu was always perceptive. Though she asked knowingly, she couldn’t help but suppress a smile, making even Sang Sang blush slightly at her antics.

After hearing Lingxiu’s words, Ji Hengyu actually scrutinized her hairstyle carefully.

It was indeed intricate. Layer upon layer of thick, raven-black hair was styled elegantly, revealing her smooth, full forehead. A floral ornament adorned her brow, vivid and radiant, like a red plum blossom blooming on white jade.

He gazed at it for a long while, filled with admiration. “Beautiful.”

Embarrassed, Sang Sang tugged at her long sleeves and nudged her. “Go enjoy yourself tonight—you don’t need to accompany me.”

Lingxiu’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Mistress.”

“Take these coins. Buy whatever you like if you see anything you fancy.” Sang Sang handed over some silver coins, dismissed the maid, and gracefully descended the steps to stand before Ji Hengyu. “Husband, let’s go.”

“Mm.”

Ji Hengyu hesitated for a moment, then tightly clasped her hand under his loose robes.

Their fingers intertwined, and without taking a carriage, they walked through the streets toward the temple fair.

The fair was grander than any festival. Stalls lined the streets for three blocks in every direction, the crowd so dense it left no gaps. Even the bridges were packed with people. Ji Hengyu seemed especially worried about losing her, gripping her hand tighter than usual.

Surrounding them was a cacophony of drums and flutes, the spectacle overwhelming. The chaos dazzled the eyes and confused the senses.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Sang Sang couldn’t shake the feeling that this scene felt eerily familiar.

In her daze, she spotted a woodcarver in the corner, causing her steps to falter.

“Mistress?” Seeing her stop, Ji Hengyu looked over in confusion.

Sang Sang shook her head and continued following him into the fair.

As dusk fell, the last streaks of pale light were consumed by the evening glow, dragging the night sky along with them.

Colorful lanterns illuminated the area from all directions, their reflections rippling in the winding Qingyang River like countless falling stars.

It was customary for the common folk to pray for blessings on such occasions. People bought prayer lanterns, inscribed their wishes, and let the lanterns drift downstream or ascend into the night sky.

Sang Sang gently tugged at Ji Hengyu’s sleeve. “Buy me a lantern—I want to make a wish.”

There was a lantern seller nearby. After Ji Hengyu turned to leave, Sang Sang took two steps back, lifted her skirt, and dashed into the crowd. In an instant, she transformed into black mist and vanished into the vast night.

During the process, she deliberately dropped her sachet by the roadside, leaving behind her scent. Only upon reaching Chuiyun Ridge did she conceal herself again.

The city wall separated the bustling streets from the ominous Chuiyun Ridge.

Within the ridge, mist blanketed the ground, and crows circled overhead. The presence of living beings drew their attention, and lurking dangers began to emerge. Birds and beasts scattered, and a demon crept up behind her. With a flick of her sleeve, Sang Sang didn’t even need to lift a finger—the massive demonic fog dissolved into a cloud of sand.

After dealing with the malicious entities around her, Sang Sang squatted in the darkness, idly waiting.

From here, she could vaguely see the city lights and the Kongming lanterns floating into the horizon.

Resting her chin on her hands, Sang Sang’s thoughts wandered—Ji Hengyu didn’t know her true identity. If her guess was correct and he was indeed a disciple of Tiange, would he side with the divine realm against her, or abandon his allegiances to stand by her side?

Sang Sang naturally hoped for the latter.

However, recalling the relentless targeting by the divine realm in recent years, she lacked the confidence that Ji Hengyu would choose her.

If Ji Hengyu truly stood on the opposing side, their past affection made her reluctant to oppose him.

She vividly remembered that day when she lay on the scorching ground, flames engulfing her from all sides. He emerged from the fire, said nothing, and without hesitation, lifted her onto his back.

Sang Sang took a deep breath, suddenly feeling a tightening in her chest.

She didn’t want Ji Hengyu to be an immortal. She hoped he was mortal—even if his life was short, they could spend it together.

Closing her eyes, she grew increasingly agitated. A suffocating weight pressed on her chest, unable to dissipate. The frustration overwhelmed her, nearly causing her to lose control of the suppressed demonic energy within her.

…Something wasn’t right.

Placing her palm over her chest, Sang Sang involuntarily tilted her head upward.

Through the web-like branches above, a round moon hung in the night sky, its cold light shimmering, sending an inexplicable chill down her spine.

This feeling was familiar.

Had she… experienced this before???

The cold, round moon reflected in her bewildered eyes. Faintly, she heard cries of pain and anguish echoing in her ears, memories crackling amidst roaring flames.

Her chest tightened, and a terrible premonition surged within her.

She stared intently in the direction she had come from, lips pressed tightly together. Ultimately, she abandoned her plan to test him and decisively slipped into Chuiyun Ridge.

A surge of molten lava churned in her chest, burning her eyes crimson.

As she leapt, her hair became disheveled, strands obscuring her vision. Her elaborate coiffure loosened, teetering on the edge of collapse. Irritated, she yanked out the red hairpin and discarded it on the ground. In an instant, her legs transformed into a sleek, black snake tail.

It extended from beneath her skirt, its hard scales scraping against the ground, leaving indelible deep grooves.

Sang Sang retained a sliver of rationality, but it quickly faded like a small boat adrift in a raging sea, swallowed whole by towering waves.

Her body tore apart, twisted, and transformed.

A massive black snake slithered through the forest, leaving nothing alive in its wake.

It devoured everything—demons, spirits, moonlight, and malevolent energy.

The more it consumed, the larger it grew. Its malevolent aura surged, forming clouds that obscured the dark moon.

By the time it finished devouring everything at Chuiyun Ridge, the enormous serpent spiraled up a tree trunk to its peak. Its blood-red vertical pupils locked onto the distant, bustling cityscape…